WSU’s trustees also unanimously passed a request to establish a Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality.

“Weber State is one of 21 colleges and universities selected to participate in the national initiative by the American Association of State Colleges and University’s American Democracy Project, to focus on looking at poverty and inequality, and how that affects democracy in this country,” said Kevin Sullivan, the board’s vice chairman.

WSU was selected, in part, because of the demographics of the area served by the school.

Consider submitting a proposal to the 2015 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis October 25 – 27, 2015. There will be special tracks for community engagement and HIPs, as well as two pre-institute sessions on assessing community-engaged activities. Please consider submitting a proposal by March 15.

Gerri Perreault, ADP Campus Coordinator, Director of Leadership Studies and Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, shares a civility brochure developed by the UNI ADP group based on their Civil Discourse and Opposing Views series.

Most recently, the series brought former Congressman Jim Leach to campus to lecture on civility and politics in November 2014. He spoke about how and why civility has broken down so broadly in national politics today.

Abstract
Leaders often display the all-too-human characteristic of talking only or mostly to people with whom they agree. Yet, to be effective as a leader in many circumstances requires reaching out and engaging in dialogue with those who one may fundamentally disagree and may even view as an enemy. To do so requires a particular conception of leadership, one that values dialogue. Effective dialogue, however, requires both skill and will. This article describes the concepts and strategies of a university program developed to encourage the will to engage in dialogue.

ADP in the News is a compilation of brief updates about American Democracy Project (ADP) activities at participating colleges and universities and is a semi-regular news feature on our blog. Below you will find the latest edition of this series.

If you have an ADP event you’d like posted in this format, please email adp@aascu.org.

Populism and Higher Education for the Age of the Smart MachineHarry Boyte mentions an American Democracy Project co-sponsored national event in his exploration of what political populism means in the 21st century. The event “The Changing World of Work—What Should We Ask of Higher Education?” took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on January 21, 2015. Read more about Boyte’s ideas here.

Seeking Political Support, Colleges Prod Students to VoteThis article on engaging student voters highlights registration efforts at ADP schools San Francisco State University (Calif.), Salisbury University (Md.) and Montclair State University (N.J.) and TDC’s Cuyanoga Community College (Ohio). The article also features quotes from AASCU’s George Mehaffy and ADP partner TurboVote’s Sam Novey. Read more about registration initiatives on these campuses here.

Longtime Flint Community Activist is up for Michigan Liberator AwardCommunity activist and University of Michigan-Flint’s American Democracy Project board member Jayashree Kommaredi was nominated for a Michigan Liberator Award in January. The award celebrates individuals and businesses in Michigan who have fought against human trafficking. Read more about Kommaredi and her work here.

Students ‘Tweet-up’ for Obama’s addressStudents at Illinois State University gathered to watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address last month. The campus’ American Democracy Project organized the event. Students watched the address and were encouraged to join the national conversation on Twitter, using the hashtag #iSOTU. Read more here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Day of Service draws 255 volunteers to assist agenciesAbout 255 volunteers from University of Central Missouri participated in the university’s fifth annual MLK Day of Service. The participants volunteered at local nonprofits. Read more here.

Group Aims To Unite Fort Smith For MLK CelebrationsThe American Democracy Project at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith participated in the university’s festivities in honor of MLK Day. The group organized an Unsung Heroes Program to honor local nonprofits. Read more here.

ADP in the News is a compilation of brief updates about American Democracy Project activities at ADP colleges and universities and is a semi-regular news feature on our blog. Below you will find the latest edition of this series.

If you have an ADP event you’d like posted in this format, please email adp@aascu.org.

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Texas A&M University – Kingsville’sADP sponsored a Constitution Day lecture on September 17 by political science assistant professor Travis Braidwood. The talk, titled “You Can’t Say That: the Constitutionality of Regulating Seditious Speech in America” was held in the Student Union and covered

the history of regulating seditious speech in the United States. Read more.

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The American Democracy Project at Fort Hays State University (Kan.) presents a seminar on the Ukraine. Read more.

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In Wisconsin, a candidate forum will be hosted by community partners including UW Oshkosh’s ADP and the local League of Women Voters. Read more.

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The University of Northern Iowa’s ADP will sponsor a Mandela panel in an event free and open to the public. Read more.

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ADP’s campus coordinator at Indiana University South Bend, Elizabeth Bennion, began a new season as host of the television show “Politically Speaking” on Sunday, October 5. “Politically Speaking” is the PBS station’s (WNIT Public Television — Channel 34.1) longest-running locally-produced program. Read more.